Phytochemical basis for the anxiolytic activity of the ayurvedic medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L) Urb (gotukola)

Abstract

Gotukola (Centella asiatica L. Urban) (Apiaceae), its extracts and the pure compound asiaticoside were studied for anxiolytic activity in thirteen standardized rat trials. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to conduct the phytochemical analysis. Among different models tested, the most promising positive response for anxiolytic activity was observed in the elevated plus maze test conducted with: (a) whole plant materials, (b) ethyl acetate and methanol fractions and (c) asiaticoside. The results show for the first time that asiaticoside and triterpene enriched fractions of gotukola have anxiolytic effects in animal models. Therefore, they are recommended for clinical trials. The findings of this study also support the ayurvedic use of gotukola for psychiatric disorders. Other supplementary investigations conducted show that methyl jasmonate and full sunlight enhance the expression of asiaticoside in gotukola plants. The stolon explants were more successful compared to the leaf explants in in vitro propagation of gotukola.